Still feeling the sting of missing last year’s sectional by two strokes, anything short of not advancing to the state tournament this fall in Normal would be a huge disappointment for the Benton Consolidated High School golf team.
With all six of his top scorers returning this season, including three All-Conference selections, coach Reggie Norman obviously is excited to see how his team responds to last year’s disappointment. Still, the Rangers went undefeated (19-0) during the regular season a year ago and won the Southern Illinois River to River Conference championship. The Rangers are 32-3 over the past two seasons.
“It stung. It was a little unexpected. Looking back, it’s a good motivator and the kids will use it for that this year,” said coach Reggie Norman, prior to the team’s first match of the season Monday at Energy.
“We work hard all year long and play in a lot of summer events to prepare to the high school season. My kids are ready to make the next step,” third-year coach Norman said. “We’ve got quality players and several that could be sub-40 or sub-80 this year. And we’re talking about six that could do it.”
Leading the charge for the Rangers are three seniors – Derek Oxford, Austin Wills and Jordan Richey – all returning starters. Oxford was an All-South, All-Conference and sectional qualifier last year and Wills was an all-conference selection.
“Derek has been a good golfer for awhile. He’s made a big leap over the last year. He’s going to have a good season,” Norman predicted.
“Austin has the potential to go deep in the postseason if he puts everything together and his short game catches up.”
Norman said Richey battled all last year for a starting spot and will continue to battle, adding, “He’s one of those kids that can score for us any day.”
Junior Gerhig Wynn has been a two-time sectional qualifier.
“He’s going to be a good golfer and he’s going to be a good golfer for two years,” Norman said.
Two underclassmen, sophomores Brendan Luster and Robbie Moore, are returning starters. Luster was the medalist with a 36 at Monday’s opening quad match at Pine Lakes Golf Course.
“The golf ball doesn’t care how old you are and I don’t care how old you are. I just care how quickly you can get the little white ball in the hole,” Norman said. “These guys are going to be able to do it.”
Freshmen making the roster include: Brad Hammond, Jared Shaw, Cole Brugger, Collin Miller and Brett Merkel.
“I absolutely love these boys,” said Norman, who taught all of them as a teacher in the Benton Grade School District. “It’s a joy to get to be around them and get to be around them in this sport. We player develop just like any other sport. I really enjoy it.”
Norman said this season’s expectations are obvious: make a postseason run.
“We were undefeated last year. It’s time to continue that and make a move in the postseason. That’s what we want to do and that’s what we have talked about since the first day after last year’s regional.”
